I have been happily married to my wife Sandra for 8 years, and together we raise Julia and Estela. We also have two great dogs Drago and Balazs who keep us company and show us a lot of love.

Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?

I am finishing up my 10th year as a Dual Language Teacher for Dallas ISD. I spent my first 6 years teaching at Mt. Auburn STEAM Academy, the same school that I attended as a kid. I was able to learn from great educators there including my very own kindergarten teacher! I am now finishing my 4th year as a teacher at Mockingbird Elementary School.

Being a huge fan of soccer, I have established soccer teams at both schools and have helped students learn to play soccer and fall in love with the game as I have. Throughout my years in education, I have specialized in Science, Math, and Social Studies all in the Dual Language Department.

What I love most about my job is the connections I make with the kids, being able to understand what makes them passionate about learning, and helping them find their talents and strengths given their likes and personalities.

Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?

A couple of our favorite restaurants are Garden Cafe and lately, getting burritos from La Victoria.

Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?

I have lived in different locations throughout my life in East Dallas. I grew up in both Old East Dallas and Mount Auburn and now have a home in Old East Dallas. While in college I worked as a server at a couple of restaurants. I worked at The Dixie House for a couple of years and then at Ali Baba Mediterranean Grill, both at the Lakewood Shopping Center. I have taught at two schools that feed students into Woodrow Wilson High School.

Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?

There are many interesting folks I have met while living here. I find that living in an older community, especially one that is so interconnected in Dallas allows you to meet people with diverse backgrounds and very colorful stories to tell. So off the top of my mind, it is difficult to name just one person as I think each and every member of this community has had a great journey to get here.

Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?

I have always been a huge fan of deserts and mountains. At this moment, if I could just take off and leave I would probably choose Iceland or Tuscany in Italy.

Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?

I am a huge fan of Spaghetti Westerns! So honestly anything with Charles Bronson or Clint Eastwood in it. A couple of my favorite movies are Urban Cowboy and Once Upon A Time in the West. As for TV shows, I enjoy watching shorter series with my wife after the girls are put to bed.

Q: What advice would you give to people?

Trust in the long-time residents of East Dallas as they truly have the best interest of the community in these days of change and population increase in our neighborhood. If we teach the new residents what it is that has made our community so special I believe they will follow along with our diverse traditions.

Q: What is something on your bucket list?

To start a business that reflects my culture and personality!

Q: What is your go-to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?

My go-to band is “Las Jilguerillas”. It’s a duo of two women from Michoacan that always reminds me of my childhood summers spent in Mexico with my grandparents.

Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?

I miss The Dixie House! It was such a staple! Although it is always fun to stop by The Goat and see how laid back and fun folks of all ages from East Dallas can be. That place hasn’t changed much over the years.

Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?

I’d like to meet up with Charley Crockett and chat about music while having lunch at La Banqueta!

Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?

I love how intertwined parts of our neighborhoods are. There are so many unique stores that represent our cultures. Mercado Mexico and Jimmy’s come to mind.

Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?

Becoming more comfortable in my own skin, being a better father and husband. Starting a business.

Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?

Very few folks are aware that I play the accordion casually. I am not great but enjoy playing it with close friends. Another passion of mine that few folks know of my affinity to western hats, both straw and felt. I like to play with them and reshape them. Ah! There’s also my love for film photography!

Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?

Few places have struck me like the San Juan Mountains of Colorado have. I absolutely loved visiting the old mining towns. Especially Telluride.

Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and the best single day on the calendar?

November! I love the fall and Thanksgiving. It’s a plus that my birthday is in November as well.

Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?

My girls!

Q: Who inspires you to be better?

My little girls and my parents.  My parents sacrificed a lot for us to have the opportunity that we have now.

Q: How do you ignite kindness in your community?

By being kind to everyone I meet. At school, I like to model being kind to the students and staff as I believe kindness is contagious.

Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?

The smell of cajun food and the smell of freshly wet soil from my parent’s hometown in Michoacan.

Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?

Family, Love, Comfort.